Roof vent

ABSTRACT

A roof vent for ventilating the roof of a building to the atmosphere. The roof vent includes a flange portion to lay against the roof, the flange portion having an opening to let air vent from the interior of the building (e.g. an attic). The roof vent can optionally include a collar portion extending from the flange portion and enclosing, at least in part, about a periphery of the opening and a cap dimensioned and configured to cover over the opening (including the hole in the roof) and optionally over the collar portion. The cap is configured to provide a passage (between the flange portion and the cap) through which air can pass between the atmosphere and the opening. The roof vent also includes a corrugated filter plate, e.g. partially enclosed by the cap, and interposed between the central opening and the passage, the corrugated filter plate having a pore size sufficient to permit air to pass through but inhibit the passage of snow particles, cinder particles and/or water droplets there-through.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/271,824 filed May 7, 2014, the contents of which are incorporatedherein in their entirety, which is a continuation-in-part of applicationof U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/290,182, filed Nov. 7, 2012, thecontents of which are also incorporated herein in their entirety.

FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to roof vents for venting the roof ofa building such as a house.

BACKGROUND

Roof vents provide the necessary ventilation to the roof of a house orother building, inhibiting condensation in the roof due to theinfiltration or otherwise collection of moisture into the roof or atticcavity. Various roof vents employ vanes, grates and louvers to permitair to be channeled between the roof and the atmosphere, and to try toinhibit rain from entering the roof through the roof vent. A variety ofcaps and covers have been used to act as a guard to prevent theinfiltration of rain. However, prior art roof vents have thus far beenineffective in inhibiting the infiltration of snow into the attic space,particularly in cases of snow storms and the like.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present invention to provide a roof vent thatobviates or mitigates at least some of the above-presented disadvantagesin the art.

An improved roof vent which facilitates adequate attic ventilation butat the same time inhibits the infiltration of snow particles, waterdroplets, water runoff of the roof surface, burning cinders, and/orother undesirable elements from the atmosphere from gaining entry intothe roof via the roof vent is desired.

A first aspect provided is a roof vent for ventilating a roof of abuilding via a hole in the roof to atmosphere, the roof vent comprising:a flange portion for resting on the roof, the flange portion having anopening for overlapping with the hole; a frame portion having sidesextending upwardly from the flange portion about the opening, the frameportion for maintaining a cap in a spaced apart relationship with theflange portion; the cap connected to the frame portion and covering overthe opening; and a corrugated filter plate extending between the cap andthe flange portion and interposed transversely between the opening andthe atmosphere, the corrugated filter plate providing for a passage ofair between the atmosphere and the opening, the corrugated filter platehaving a pore size sufficient for facilitating the air passage of airthrough the corrugated filter plate while blocking passage ofatmospheric particles through the corrugated filter plate.

A second aspect provided is an insert for a roof vent for ventilating aroof of a building via a hole in the roof to atmosphere, the roof venthaving a cap for connecting to a flange portion, the insert comprising:a flange portion for resting on the roof, the flange portion having anopening for overlapping with the hole; and a corrugated filter plate forextending between the cap and the flange portion and interposedtransversely between the opening and the atmosphere, the corrugatedfilter plate providing for a passage of air between the atmosphere andthe opening, the corrugated filter plate having a pore size sufficientfor facilitating the air passage of air through the corrugated filterplate while blocking passage of atmospheric particles through thecorrugated filter plate.

A third aspect provided is an insert for a roof vent for ventilating aroof of a building via a hole in the roof to atmosphere, the roof venthaving a cap connected to a flange portion via a frame portion, theinsert comprising: a base for resting on the flange portion, the basehaving an opening for overlapping with the hole; and a corrugated filterplate positioned on the base for extending between the cap and theflange portion and for being interposed transversely between the openingand the atmosphere, the corrugated filter plate providing for a passageof air between the atmosphere and the opening, the corrugated filterplate having a pore size sufficient for facilitating the air passage ofair through the corrugated filter plate while blocking passage ofatmospheric particles through the corrugated filter plate.

A fourth aspect provided is an insert for a roof vent for ventilating aroof of a building via a hole in the roof to atmosphere, the roof venthaving a flange portion for connecting to a cap via a frame portion, theflange portion for resting on the roof and having an opening foroverlapping with the hole, the insert comprising: a cap for connectingto the frame portion and covering over the opening; and a corrugatedfilter plate connected to the cap and for extending between the cap andthe flange portion and for interposing transversely between the openingand the atmosphere, the corrugated filter plate providing for a passageof air between the atmosphere and the opening, the corrugated filterplate having a pore size sufficient for facilitating the air passage ofair through the corrugated filter plate while blocking passage ofatmospheric particles through the corrugated fitter plate.

A fifth aspect provided is a replacement cartridge for an existing roofvent for ventilating a roof of a building via a hole in the roof toatmosphere, the roof vent having a flange portion connected to a cap viaa frame portion, the flange portion for resting on the roof and havingan opening for overlapping with the hole, the replacement cartridgecomprising: a corrugated filter plate for connecting with at least oneof the flange portion, the cap or the frame portion, the corrugatedfilter plate for extending between the cap and the flange portion andfor interposing transversely between the opening and the atmosphere, thecorrugated filter plate providing for a passage of air between theatmosphere and the opening, the corrugated filter plate having a poresize sufficient for facilitating the air passage of air through thecorrugated filter plate while blocking passage of atmospheric particlesthrough the corrugated filter plate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other aspects will now be described by way of exampleonly with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a roof vent;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the roof vent shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the roof vent shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a top view of an optional collar portion of the roof ventshown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the collar portion shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the collar portion with a corrugated filterplate of the roof vent shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of the filter plate portion ofthe roof vent shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is an alternative embodiment the cross sectional view of the roofvent shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is a further alternative embodiment the cross sectional view ofthe roof vent shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 is a further alternative embodiment the cross sectional view ofthe roof vent shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 11a is an alternative embodiment of the roof vent shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 11b is an alternative embodiment of the roof vent shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a further alternative embodiment the cross sectional view ofthe roof vent shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 13 is a further alternative embodiment the cross sectional view ofthe roof vent shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 14 is an alternative embodiment of the roof vent shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the roof vent shown in FIG. 14 with capattached;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the roof vent shown in FIG. 14 withoutcap attached;

FIG. 17 is an insert as an alternative embodiment of the roof vent shownin FIG. 1;

FIG. 18 is an alternative embodiment of the insert of FIG. 17; and

FIG. 19 is a further alternative embodiment of the insert shown in FIG.18.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate correspondingparts in the different figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1, 3 show a roof vent 10 for ventilating the roof of a building tothe atmosphere. The roof vent 10 includes a flange portion 12 to layagainst the roof, the flange portion 12 having an opening 22 to let airvent from the interior of the building (e.g. an attic). The roof vent 10can optionally include a collar portion 14 extending from the flangeportion 12 and enclosing, at least in part, about a periphery of theopening 22, and a cap 16 dimensioned and configured to cover over theopening 22 (including the hole 28 in the roof) and optionally over thecollar portion 14. The cap 16 is configured to provide a passage(between the flange portion 12 and the cap 16) through which air canpass between the atmosphere and the opening 22. The roof vent 10 alsoincludes a corrugated filter plate 46, e.g. partially enclosed by thecap 16, and interposed between the central opening 22 and the airpassage (e.g. gap) between the cap 16 and the flange portion 12. Thecorrugated filter plate 46 can have a pore size 47 (e.g. perforations,holes, a plurality of apertures, etc.—see FIG. 7) sufficient tofacilitate air to pass through the corrugated filter material 46 (e.g.from one side 19 of the corrugated filter material 46 to the other 19)but inhibit the passage of snow particles, cinder particles and/or waterdroplets there-through (e.g. from one side 19 of the corrugated filtermaterial 46 to the other 19). In any event, it is recognized that thepurpose of the corrugated filter material 46 is to provide for the flowthrough of air while inhibiting the passage of undesirableparticles/droplets (e.g. solid and/or liquid pieces of matter) throughthe corrugated filter material 46 impinging from the atmosphere and intothe interior of the roof via the opening 22 and adjacent hole 28.

For example, the corrugated filter material 46 can be positioned asextending upwardly between the flange portion 12 and the cap 16(covering the opening 22). It is recognized that the corrugated filtermaterial 46 can be in contact with a top surface 13 of the flangeportion 12, in contact with a underside surface 17 of the cap 16, and/orin contact with the top surface 13 of the flange portion 12 and with theunderside surface 17 of the cap 16. It is recognized that a sidewall 15(e.g. collar wall—see FIG. 2) extending upwardly from the top surface 13of the flange portion 12 can also be considered as part of the topsurface 13 of the flange portion 12. It is recognized that a sidewall(not shown) extending downwardly from the bottom/underside surface 17 ofthe cap 16 can also be considered as part of the bottom/undersidesurface 17 of the cap 16.

Corrugated (see FIG. 7) can refer to draws or bends into folds oralternate furrows and ridges of the surface of the filter plate 46. Acorrugated surface can also refer to a pleated surface 19. A corrugatedsurface 19 can also refer to a shape into folds or parallel andalternating ridges and grooves. The juncture between the folds can bewell defined (e.g. a crease line) or can be distributed over the surface(e.g. an arcuate change in direction from one fold to the next, such asan arcuate portion of the surface 19 of the corrugated filter material46). For example, the corrugated filter material 46 (e.g. plate) can bea single walled surface 19 as shown, can be a double walled structure,not shown, (e.g. having a space between adjacent walls having acorrugated surface 19, etc). Preferably the corrugated filter material46 has a corrugated surface 19 exposed to the passage of air impingingon the corrugated filter material 46 from the atmosphere and directedtowards the opening 22 (and overlapping hole 28 in the roof membrane ofthe building) and into the roof cavity (e.g. attic space). Preferablythe corrugated filter material 46 has a corrugated surface 19 exposed tothe passage of air impinging on the corrugated filter material 46 fromthe exiting the roof cavity (e.g. attic space) and directed towards theopening 22 (and overlapping hole 28 in the roof membrane 50 of thebuilding) and into the atmosphere.

In terms of positioning of the corrugated filter material 46 withrespect to the cap 16 (at least covering the opening 28) and withrespect to the flange portion 12, the corrugated filter material 46 ispositioned transverse to both of the cap 16 (e.g. underside surface 17of the cap 16) and the flange portion 12 (e.g. upper surface 13 of theflange portion 12). As such, it is recognized that the corrugated filtermaterial 46 can be in contact with one of the surfaces 13,17, with bothof the surfaces 13, 17, an/or in contact with none of the surfaces 13,17(e.g. suspended between the surfaces 13,17 by a secondary structure thatcan also be used to position the cap 16 in a spaced apart relationshipwith the flange portion 12. For example, the secondary structure can beprovided by the collar portion 14 described herein as an example only.In any event, the corrugated filter material 46 extends transversely (inwhole, in part, etc.) between the cap 16 and the flange portion 12 (e.g.base of the roof vent 10). In terms of in-whole, then any passage of airbetween the opening 22 and the atmosphere would pass though the body ofthe corrugated filter material 46. Alternatively, in terms of in-part,some of the passage of air between the opening 22 and the atmospherewould pass though the body of the corrugated filter material 46 andpassage of air between the opening 22 and the atmosphere would go aroundthe body of the corrugated filter material 46. In terms of transverse,this can be referred to as situated or lying across (e.g. between theopposing surfaces 13,17), lying sideways (e.g. between the opposingsurfaces 13,17), crosswise (e.g. between the opposing surfaces 13,17),crossing from side to side (e.g. between the opposing surfaces 13,17),athwart (e.g. between the opposing surfaces 13,17), crossways (e.g.between the opposing surfaces 13,17), lying or extending across or in across direction (e.g. between the opposing surfaces 13,17), cross (e.g.between the opposing surfaces 13,17). One example of transverse (e.g.between the opposing surfaces 13,17) can be lying at right angles to orperpendicular to each or both of the opposing surfaces 13,17). It isalso recognized that the angle of the corrugated filter material 46,when extending away from (either in or out of contact with the actualsurface 13,17) the surface 13,17, can be other than 90 degrees, asdesired.

The roof vent 10 can be considered as a roof vent type for naturalventilation, as using the process of supplying and removing air throughan indoor space (e.g. attic) without using mechanical systems. Naturalventilation implemented by the roof vent 10 can refer to the flow ofexternal air to an indoor space as a result of pressure or temperaturedifferences. There can be two types of natural ventilation occurring inbuildings: wind driven ventilation and buoyancy-driven ventilation.While wind can be the main mechanism of wind driven ventilation,buoyancy-driven ventilation can occur as a result of the directionalbuoyancy force that results from temperature differences between theinterior and exterior of the building. Alternatively, naturalventilation can be referred to as Passive ventilation, as a way toprovide attic ventilation for shingle roof assemblies is by nonpowered,passive ventilation based roof vent 10. This method relies primarily onnatural air convection—the upward movement of heated air because of itslower density—but may also take advantage of wind-generated pressuredifferences.

Natural convection can initiate the upward flow of air through an atticand through the roof vent 10. This air current can be maintained to aidin continuous circulation of air through the attic if intake ventsplaced low in the attic make colder air available to replace the heatedair exhausted through vents placed high in the attic.Convection-assisted ventilation can be effective when approximatelyequal amounts of ventilation opening areas are placed at the soffits oreave and at or near the top of the attic space, referred to as “balancedventilation.” It is also recognized that the roof vent 10 can be apowered type roof vent rather than a passive type. For example, the roofvent 10 can have a powered unit, e.g. a fan with corresponding drivemechanism (e.g. motor) for assisting flow of the passage of air throughthe corrugated filter plate 46.

In terms of the net free cross sectional area for the passage of airthrough the corrugated filter plate 46, the aggregate total open area(e.g. summation of the effective open area of each of the individualpore 47 cross sectional areas) of the plurality of holes/pores 47 can beconfigured to satisfy a minimum net open area threshold. For example,the open area threshold can be approximately 50 square inches of flowability (e.g. net free area) available for the passage of air to flowthrough. It is recognized that the minimum net open area threshold canbe a standard defined threshold, different for each country, province,and/or state based building codes/standards. In an example where thecorrugated filter plate 46 does not extend from surface 13 to surface17, the total net free air flow area available would be the aggregate ofthe effective open area of each of the individual pore 47 crosssectional areas of the corrugated filter plate 46 and the open crosssectional area of an air gap between an end of the filter plate 46 andthe adjacent surface 13,17.

Referring to FIG. 1,3, the roof vent 10 provides for roof ventilationwhile at the same time inhibiting the infiltration of snow (e.g.undesired particles) into the attic. The roof vent 10 has the flangeportion 12, optionally the collar portion 14 (shown as an exampleembodiment) and the cap 16 configured to cover over (e.g. most) of thecollar portion 14 and to cover over a portion of the surface 19. Flangeportion 12 is preferably flat to rest flush with the roof (not shown) tomake it easy to install the roof vent. Collar portion 14 extendsperpendicularly upward from flange 12. Cap 16 is dimensioned to enclosemuch of the collar portion 14 but to leave a space gap 18 between thecap 16 and flange portion 12 to permit atmospheric air to pass throughcollar portion 14.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, flange portion 12 has a (e.g. central)aperture 22 and collar portion 14 has a (e.g. central) cavity 26 whichcommunicates with aperture 22 providing for air to circulate betweenattic interior 30, through hole 28 in roof 26 and cavity 26. Collar 14can have one or more apertures 24 through which air can circulatebetween cavity 26 and outside atmosphere 32 through air passage 20 and agap 18 (between the flange portion 12 and the cap 16). As can be seen inFIGS. 4 and 5, collar portion 14 can be formed as a (e.g. annular) framehaving upper portion 38, lower portion 40 and sides 36 formed fromsupport members 34. Apertures 24 are formed between support members 34.The collar portion 14 is one example of a frame (e.g. frame portion 14)that can provide for structural rigidity between the cap 16 and flangeportion 12, thus providing for structural integrity of the roof vent 10in keeping the cap 16 at a spaced apart distance from the flange portion12. It is also recognized that the frame portion 14 can be separate fromthe corrugated filter material 46 (e.g. the frame portion 14 and thecorrugated filter material 46 are separate and distinct pieces of theroof vent 10). It is also recognized that the frame portion 14 can beintegrated with the corrugated filter material 46 (e.g. the frameportion 14 and the corrugated filter material 46 are an integratedcomponent of the roof vent 10). For example, the frame portion 14 withintegrated corrugated filter material 46 can be attached to both the cap16 and the flange portion 12, such that the frame portion 14 extendsaway (e.g. upwardly, downwardly, etc.) from the respective surfaces13,17.

Referring again to FIG. 3, the cavity 26 can form a continuous openingbetween upper and lower portions 38 and 40, respectively. Upper andlower portions 38 and 40 can have channels 42 and 44, respectively whichare opposed (e.g. parallel) to each other and which are dimensioned andconfigured to receive side edges of corrugated filter plate 46 so thatthe corrugated filter plate 46 is positioned transversely betweeninterior 26 and aperture 24. Therefore, air passing from the aperture 24can pass through corrugated filter plate 46 to enter cavity 26.Alternately, the corrugated filter plate 46 is positioned transverselybetween the atmosphere and the aperture 24.

The corrugated filter plate 46 can be a wire mesh which is corrugated toincrease its surface area, thus providing for the passage of air throughthe surface 19 at a multiple of angles relating to the differentsurfaces of the folds that are angles to one another. As such, thecorrugated surface 19 has a greater surface area as compared to acorresponding planar surface of a side of the roof vent 10 (e.g. aplanar cross sectional area of a bounded surface measured between anadjacent pair of support members 34 and the adjacent and opposingsurfaces 13,17). The corrugated filter plate 46 can have a pore 47 sizewhich is selected to inhibit the passage of atmospheric particles (e.g.snow particles) through the corrugated filter plate 46, whilefacilitating the flow of air through the corrugated filter plate 46 fromside 19 to side 19. For example, a pore size of approximately 120microns can inhibit the passage of snow while providing for adequate aircirculation through the corrugated surface of the filter plate 46, ascompared to the planar surface area of a non-corrugated cross sectionalarea of a side of the roof vent 10 (e.g. covered by a fibrous layer thatis non-corrugated—e.g. planar). The material of the corrugated filterplate 46 can be composed of metal, such as but not limited to stainlesssteel, aluminum, or other materials that can inhibit attachment of theparticles (e.g. snow) to the corrugated surface 19, when the surface 19is in an extending orientation (e.g. upwardly, away from, towards, etc.)with respect to the surface(s) 13,17.

Referring back to FIG. 3, collar 14 can extend transverse (e.g.perpendicular) to opening 22. Cap 16 can be dimensioned to close offopening 22 from precipitation and other particles from entering theopening 22 from above. An air passage 20 can be formed between cap 16and collar portion 14 so that air flows through the side walls of collar14 and air passage 20 and out gap 18. As mentioned above, collar portion14 can have the corrugated filter plate 46 (see FIG. 6) mounted theretoso that air flowing from outside vent 10 passes (at least in part)through the corrugated surface 19 of the filter plate 46 before enteringopening 22, hole 28 and attic interior 30. Any wind driven snow can betrapped between collar 14 and cap 16 and thus be inhibited frominfiltrating the attic space 30. Since air passage 20 can be larger thangap 18, a quantity of snow can accumulate on the outside of collar 14while at the same time be inhibited from blocking off the flow of airbetween exterior 32 (e.g. atmosphere) and attic interior 30. Asmentioned previously, the corrugation of fitter plate 46 (see FIG. 7)provides for a larger surface area, that what could be achieve by aplanar porous layer, positioned about the opening 22, thereby increasingthe amount of filter media available to permit air to flow through thefilter plate 46. It is recognized that the corrugated filter plate 46can be of any peripheral shape (e.g. about the periphery 29 of the hole28), for example square as shown in FIG. 6, as well as any other shapeas desired (e.g. circular, oblong, triangular, rectangular, pentagonal),as well as any number of sides (e.g. a square has 4 sides, a trianglehas three sides, etc.), as well as any side shape (e.g. linear, arcuate,etc.).

It will be appreciated that numerous modifications can be made toinvention without departing from the core of the invention. Inparticular, the corrugated filter plate 46 can be laid out within thecollar portion 14 so that the filter plate 46 lies parallel to opening22 (e.g. overlapping the opening 22). Certain advantages have been foundto a transverse (e.g. perpendicular) arrangement between the filterplate 46 and opening 22 (see FIG. 3). In particular, it is recognizedthat a perpendicular arrangement can provide for appropriate aircirculation through the roof vent 10 while improving the roof vent's 10ability to block wind driven snow from passing through the filter plate46. In some applications, it can be more cost effective to produce aroof vent 10 where the filter plate is laid out parallel (or some otherangle other than perpendicular) relative to the central opening 22.

In view of the above, referring to FIG. 8, shown is an alternativeembodiment of the roof vent 10 having a cap 16 (covering opening 22)positioned in a spaced apart relationship with the flange portion 12 byan intervening frame portion 14 (integrated with the filter plate 46,separate from the filter plate 46, etc.), and the corrugated filterplate 46. In this example, the cap 16 does not overlap or otherwisecover the corrugated surface 19 of the filter plate 46, as is shown inFIG. 3. It is recognized that in FIG. 8, a collar sidewall is not shown.As such, it is considered that the collar sidewall(s) can be separatefrom and thus added to the configuration of a roof vent 10 combinationof cap 16, flange portion 12 and corrugated filter plate 46, as desired.For example, the corrugated filter plate 46 can be positioned as aretrofit (e.g. optional insert module to an off-the shelf roofingaccessory) into an existing cap 12, frame 14 (e.g. collar portion withor without sidewalls extending from a flange), and flange configuredroof vent 10. For example, the flange portion 12 (e.g. with groove) andassociated corrugated filter material 46 can be sold as an insert to becombined with an existing cap 16 and/or flange combination roof vent 10.

Referring to FIG. 9, shown is an alternative embodiment of the roof vent10 having a cap 16, frame portion 14 including collar sidewalls 11, theflange portion 12, and the corrugated filter material 46 extendingbetween the cap 16 and the flange portion 12, such that the corrugatedfilter material 46 is positioned between the aperture 24 and the opening22 (see FIG. 3).

Referring to FIG. 10, shown is an alternative embodiment of the roofvent 10 having a cap 16, frame portion 14 including collar sidewalls 11,the flange portion 12, and the corrugated filter material 46 extendingbetween the cap 16 and the flange portion 12, such that the corrugatedfilter material 46 is positioned between the aperture 24 and theatmosphere.

Referring to FIG. 11a , shown is an alternative embodiment of the roofvent 10 having a cap 16, a flange portion 12, and a corrugated filtermaterial 46 there between, such that the roof vent 10 is positionednon-vertically with respect to a sloped roof surface 50. Referring toFIG. 11b , shown is an alternative embodiment of the roof vent 10 havinga cap 16, a flange portion 12, and a corrugated filter material 46 therebetween, such that the roof vent 10 is positioned vertically withrespect to a sloped roof surface 50.

Referring to FIG. 12, shown is an alternative embodiment of the roofvent 10 having a cap 16, frame portion 14 including optional collarsidewalls 11, the flange portion 12, and the corrugated filter material46 extending between the cap 12 and the flange portion 12, wherein thecollar sidewalls 11 are positioned between a bottom end of thecorrugated filter material 46 and the flange portion 12.

Referring to FIG. 13, shown is an alternative embodiment of the roofvent 10 having a cap 16, frame portion 14, the flange portion 12, andthe corrugated filter material 46 extending between the cap 12 and theflange portion 12, such that an air gap 52 is positioned between a top54 (adjacent and spaced apart from surface 17) of the corrugated filtermaterial 46, thus providing for air exchange with the interior viaopening 22 both as air passing through 56 the corrugated filter material46 and bypassing 58 the corrugated filter material 46 by flowing aroundthe top 54 of the corrugated filter material 46 and through the air gap52.

Referring to FIGS. 14, 15, 16 shown is an alternative embodiment of theroof vent 10 as an arch top roof vent having the flange portion 12(base), an optional collar portion 14 (extends from base includingsidewall 11) which also could be referred to as the frame portion 14,and the cap (hood) 16 configured to cover over the corrugated filtermaterial 46. Flange portion 12 is preferably flat to rest flush with theroof 50 to make it easy to install the roof vent 10. Collar portion 14extends away/upward from flange portion 12. The cap 16 can bedimensioned to enclose much of the collar 14 but to leave a gap 18between the cap 16 and flange portion 14 to facilitate atmospheric airto pass through the corrugated filter material 46.

The flange portion 14 has an aperture 22 and the collar portion 14 hasthe cavity which provides for air to circulate into the attic interiorvia the hole in the roof 50 and cavity of the collar portion 14. Thecollar portion 14 facilitates the air to circulate between the cavityand the outside atmosphere through the air passage and gap 18. Theflange portion 12 can provide support members 14 (illustrated at thefour corners) that support the cap 16 above the flange portion 12 andprovide clearance between a bottom surface of the cap 16 (e.g. cap arms59 as an extension of the surface 17) and upper edge 60 (e.g. oppositethe flange portion surface 13) of the collar portion 14.

Corrugated filter plates 46 can be positioned between the supportmembers 14. The corrugated filter plate 46 is positioned transverselybetween interior 22 and atmosphere. Therefore, air passing fromatmosphere can pass through filter plate 46 to enter cavity 22.Preferably, a channel can be formed in the flange portion 12 forreceiving the filter plate 46.

Illustrated is an arch top design for the optional collar portion walls11. The cap 16 can be similarly shaped to conform to the collar walls 11shape to maintain a similarly sized air gap all around the collarportion walls 11. The top edge 62 of the cap 16 (labeled “up” in thedrawings) is arcuate (i.e. non-linear) to provide for snow and rain tomove away from the top edge 62 to help limit accumulation of the showand/or water as encountered based on the season. The shape of the collarportion wall 11 perimeter can vary but preferably, the top edge can havea curve or arcuate shape to limit accumulation of snow or rain. Theperimeter of cap 16 shown in the drawings is trapezoidal but othershapes can include square or diamond so long as the top edge isarcuately shaped.

Referring to FIG. 17 is an insert 70 for an existing roof vent 71 forventilating a roof of a building via a hole in the roof to atmosphere,the existing roof vent 71 having a cap (shown in ghosted view) forconnecting to a flange portion 12, the insert 70 comprising: the flangeportion 12 for resting on the roof 50, the flange portion 12 having anopening 22 for overlapping with the hole; and the corrugated filterplate 46 for extending between the cap and the flange portion 12 andinterposed transversely between the opening 22 and the atmosphere, thecorrugated filter plate 46 providing for a passage of air between theatmosphere and the opening 22, the corrugated filter plate 46 having apore size sufficient for facilitating the air passage of air through thecorrugated filter plate 46 while blocking passage of atmosphericparticles through the corrugated filter plate 46.

Referring to FIG. 18 is an alternative embodiment of the insert 70 forthe existing roof vent 71 for ventilating a roof of a building via ahole in the roof to atmosphere, the existing roof vent 71 having a capconnected to a flange portion via a frame portion (shown in ghostedview), the insert 70 comprising: a base 72 for resting on the flangeportion, the base having an opening 74 for overlapping with the hole;and a corrugated filter plate 46 positioned on the base 72 for extendingbetween the cap and the flange portion and for being interposedtransversely between the opening and the atmosphere, the corrugatedfilter plate 46 providing for a passage of air between the atmosphereand the opening, the corrugated filter plate 46 having a pore sizesufficient for facilitating the air passage of air through thecorrugated filter plate 46 while blocking passage of atmosphericparticles through the corrugated filter plate 46.

Referring to FIG. 19 is an alternative embodiment of the insert 70 forthe existing roof vent 71 for ventilating a roof of a building via ahole in the roof to atmosphere, the existing roof vent 71 having aflange portion with an opening (shown in ghosted view) for connecting toa cap 16 via a frame portion 14, the flange portion for resting on theroof and having an opening for overlapping with the hole, the insert 70comprising: a cap 16 for connecting to the frame portion 14 and coveringover the opening; and a corrugated filter plate 46 connected to the cap16 and for extending between the cap 16 and the flange portion and forinterposing transversely between the opening and the atmosphere, thecorrugated filter plate 46 providing for a passage of air between theatmosphere and the opening, the corrugated filter plate 46 having a poresize sufficient for facilitating the air passage of air through thecorrugated filter plate 46 while blocking passage of atmosphericparticles through the corrugated filter plate 46.

It is recognized that the corrugated filter plate 46 can also bereferred to as a corrugated filter material 46 or corrugated filterstructure 46. It is also recognized that the corrugated filter plate 46can be provided as a replacement cartridge (to replace a damaged filterplate) for an existing roof vent (e.g. like those shown in FIGS.17,18,19). The replacement cartridge can include the corrugated filterplate 46 as well as any of the components of the roof vent provided forin the FIGS. 1-19, as desired. For example, 22. the replacementcartridge for an existing roof vent for ventilating a roof of a buildingvia a hole in the roof to atmosphere, the roof vent having a flangeportion connected to a cap via a frame portion, the flange portion forresting on the roof and having an opening for overlapping with the hole.The replacement cartridge comprising a corrugated filter plate forconnecting with at least one of the flange portion, the cap or the frameportion, the corrugated filter plate for extending between the cap andthe flange portion and for interposing transversely between the openingand the atmosphere, the corrugated filter plate providing for a passageof air between the atmosphere and the opening, the corrugated filterplate having a pore size sufficient for facilitating the air passage ofair through the corrugated filter plate while blocking passage ofatmospheric particles through the corrugated filter plate.

A specific embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed;however, several variations of the disclosed embodiment could beenvisioned as within the scope of this invention. It is to be understoodthat the present invention is not limited to the embodiments describedabove, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of thefollowing claims.

1. A roof vent for ventilating a roof of a building via a hole in theroof to the atmosphere, the roof vent comprising: a flange portion forresting on the roof, the flange portion having an opening foroverlapping with the hole; a frame portion having sides extendingupwardly from the flange portion about the opening, the frame portionfor maintaining a cap in a spaced apart relationship with the flangeportion; the cap connected to the frame portion and covering over theopening; and a corrugated filter plate positioned between the cap andthe flange portion, the corrugated filter plate having a corrugatedsurface simultaneously exposing a plurality of alternating folds asfurrows and ridges to a passage of air providing a surface area to thepassage of air greater than a corresponding planar cross-sectional areaof a side of the roof vent, each of the plurality of folds comprising afold line extending in a direction from the flange portion to the cap,each of the alternating folds having a plurality of individual poresspaced apart from one another on a respective surface of each of theplurality of folds, the corrugated filter plate facilitating the passageof air between the atmosphere and the opening by having a pore size ofeach of the plurality of Individual pores sufficient for facilitatingthe passage of air through the corrugated filter plate while blockingpassage of water droplets through the corrugated filter plate; whereinsummation of an effective open area of said each of the plurality ofindividual pores satisfies a minimum net open area threshold for theplanar cross-sectional area.
 2. The roof vent of claim 1 wherein thepore size is approximately 120 microns.
 3. The roof vent of claim 1,wherein the corrugated fitter plate is arranged perpendicularly withrespect to the flange portion.
 4. The roof vent of claim 1 wherein theframe portion is a collar having side walls with one or more apertures,the passage of air communicating with the apertures in the side walls,such that the corrugated filter plate is positioned to cover the one ormore apertures.
 5. The roof vent of claim 1 further comprising thecorrugated filter plate positioned in one or more apertures of the frameportion.
 6. The roof vent of claim 1, wherein the frame portion and thecorrugated filter plate are integral with one another as a component ofthe roof vent.
 7. The roof vent of claim 1, wherein the corrugatedfilter plate extends between an underside surface of the cap and a topsurface of the flange portion.
 8. The roof vent of claim 1, wherein thecorrugated filter plate extends between an underside surface of the capand a top surface of the flange portion, such that an air gap ispositioned between a top edge of the corrugated filter plate and theadjacent underside surface.
 9. The roof vent of claim 1, wherein saidfold line representing a juncture between adjacent folds of theplurality of alternating folds is well defined crease line.
 10. The roofvent of claim 1, wherein said fold line representing a juncture betweenadjacent folds of the plurality of alternating folds is distributed overthe plate surface as an arcuate change in direction from one fold to thenext.
 11. The roof vent of claim 1, wherein the corrugated filter plateextends about a portion of a periphery of the opening.
 12. The roof ventof claim 1, wherein the corrugated filter plate extends about aperiphery of the opening.
 13. The roof vent of claim 1, wherein a topedge of the cap s arcuately shaped.
 14. The roof vent of claim 1,wherein the corrugated filter plate extends about a periphery of theopening such that a peripheral shape of a wall of the corrugated filterplate is circular.
 15. The roof vent of claim 1, wherein the corrugatedfilter plate extends about a periphery of the opening such that aperipheral shape of a wall of the corrugated filter plate isquadrilateral.
 16. An insert for a roof vent for ventilating a roof of abuilding via a hole in the roof to the atmosphere, the roof vent havinga cap for connecting to a flange portion, the insert comprising: theflange portion for resting on the roof, the flange portion having anopening for overlapping with the hole; and a corrugated filter platecoupled to the flange portion for positioning between the cap and theflange portion, the corrugated filter plate having a corrugated surfacesimultaneously exposing a plurality of alternating folds as furrows andridges to a passage of air providing a surface area to the passage ofair greater than a corresponding planar cross-sectional area of a sideof the roof vent, each of the plurality of folds comprising a fold lineextending in a direction from the flange portion to the cap, each of thealternating folds having a plurality of individual pores spaced apartfrom one another on a respective surface of each of the plurality offolds, the corrugated filter plate facilitating the passage of airbetween the atmosphere and the opening by having a pore size of each ofthe plurality of individual pores sufficient for facilitating thepassage of air through the corrugated filter plate while blockingpassage of water droplets through the corrugated filter plate; whereinsummation of an effective open area of said each of the plurality ofindividual pores satisfies a minimum net open area threshold for theplanar cross-sectional area.
 17. An insert for a roof vent forventilating a roof of a building via a hole in the roof to theatmosphere, the roof vent having a flange portion for connecting to acap via a frame portion, the flange portion for resting on the roof andhaving an opening for overlapping with the hole, the insert comprising:the cap for connecting to the frame portion and covering over theopening; and a corrugated filter plate coupled to the cap forpositioning between the cap and the flange portion, the corrugatedfilter plate having a corrugated surface simultaneously exposing aplurality of alternating folds as furrows and ridges to a passage of airproviding a surface area to the passage of air greater than acorresponding planar cross-sectional area of a side of the roof vent,each of the plurality of folds comprising a fold line extending in adirection from the flange portion to the cap, each of the alternatingfolds having a plurality of individual pores spaced apart from oneanother on a respective surface of each of the plurality of folds, thecorrugated filter plate facilitating the passage of air between theatmosphere and the opening by having a pore size of each of theplurality of Individual pores sufficient for facilitating the passage ofair through the corrugated filter plate while blocking passage of waterdroplets through the corrugated filter plate; wherein summation of aneffective open area of said each of the plurality of individual poressatisfies a minimum net open area threshold for the planarcross-sectional area.
 18. The roof vent of claim 1 further comprising acollar wall extending upwardly from the flange portion such that thecollar wall is positioned between the corrugated filter plate and theflange portion.